Bob Molarz resigns as St. Joseph-Metuchen football coach

When Bob Molarz began the St. Joseph-Metuchen football program
from scratch in 2009, the first thing he had to do was show his players how to
put on their football pants.

Four years and two varsity seasons later, St. Joseph became a competitive team in the competitive
White Division of the Greater Middlesex Conference with a bright

Bob Molarz directing the troops at St. Joseph-MetuchenFrances Micklow/The Star-Ledger

future ahead.

That brightness is now clouded a little as a search for a
new coach is officially on.

If you're interested in the job, call St. Joseph Athletic
Director Jerry Smith because Molarz handed in his resignation on Tuesday
afternoon. He also resigned as an assistant basketball coach.

There are now three schools in Middlesex
County looking for a head coach _ St. Joseph, East Brunswick
and Iselin Kennedy.

Molarz, an East Brunswick resident and teacher at Carteret, took over the program at St. Joseph and ran
sub-varsity teams for two years before the school began a varsity team in
2011.

Playing an independent schedule, the Falcons were 3-5 in their
varsity debut two years ago.

In 2012, the school entered play in the GMC White Division.
Reeling off a four-game winning streak at one point, St. Joseph finished 5-5.

With the program moving forward, someone else will take it
from here.

"I anticipated some improvements in a more timely manner and things weren't getting done,'' said the 56-year-old Molarz. "I really don't want to elaborate on that because it was a great opportunity for me, it was a very good experience, but it's just time to move on.''

Smith said he hopes to have a successor named by May 1st.

"Bob is an amazing individual and I can't say enough good
things about him as a person and as a coach,'' said Smith. "I'm very proud I
was the one who had the vision to hire him and to let him get our program
going. I can't imagine anyone else doing the job he did here.

"The kids didn't even know how to get dressed when he began
and in five years we were a competitive team in the White Division of the GMC.
That is absolutely

Matt Greene (29) was the face of St. Joseph-Metuchen football. Frances Micklow/The Star-Ledger

amazing. Bob built this program from the ground up and it is
on very solid footing as we go forward.''

Molarz, a three-sport standout at Carteret
in the 1970's, was a successful basketball and football coach at his alma
mater. Taking over the football program in 1998, he guided the Ramblers to a
record of 64-21 with eight playoff appearances in all eight seasons he was the head man. At Carteret, Molarz coached Jason Worilds, who now plays for the Pittsburgh
Steelers.

"The players I coached at St. Joseph were exceptional kids,'' said Molarz. "They were hard-working, dedicated and loyal. I am very proud to have been their head coach.

"The support from the parents was tremendous too, I couldn't have asked for anything more. And I was proud because I felt we built a respectable program in a short period of time. We had some moments too, beating Bishop Ahr, winning four games in a row ... that was the reward.''

Whomever the new coach is, he will have to live up to the
standards set by Molarz, according to Smith.

"Aside from x's and o's and teaching the kids how to block,
tackle and play the game the right way, he cared about the kids,'' said Smith.
"He was big on discipline on and off the field. He cared about their academics
and he did everything in his power to get the kids into college. Our next coach
is going to have to do all of that as well.''

Smith feels Molarz still has a desire to coach.

"I know Bob wanted some things done here that weren't
getting done,'' said Smith. "When he asked me about some of them during
basketball, I couldn't give him an answer.''

Five of Molarz' assistant coaches all played for him at Carteret.

"I still have a desire to coach,'' said Molarz. "If the right situation presented itself, I would consider it.''